May 30, 2009. Querétaro, Mexico. On May 20, in a
ceremony full of enthusiasm and energy, the latest university to
join the Anáhuac family has made its grand entrance: the
Anáhuac University in Querétaro. Watch a video in Spanish
of testimonies and view the photo gallery to catch
a glimpse of the spirit of the inauguration day.

The new
university is the newest in a group of 17 universities
operated by the Legion of Christ worldwide. The Anáhuac Universities
currently serve over 29,000 students, from bachelor’s degree programs to
graduate and executive programs. They offer 44 undergraduate programs, 98
graduate programs, and over 150 extension programs worldwide, along with
partnerships with over 200 universities all over the globe.

After 3
years of operation, the Querétaro Anáhuac has begun building its
definitive campus. It currently has 750 students, faculty members, and
administrators, with 12 academic programs for licentiate and postgraduate degrees.
In addition to its emphasis on academic excellence, the university
will also focus on imbuing its students with the virtues
and values that will help them become positive leaders in
society.

The inauguration ceremony on May 20 included the blessing and
placement of the cornerstone, as well as speeches from Fr
Rodolfo Mayagoitia, LC, the territorial director of the Legion of
Christ in Mexico; Mr. Francisco Garrido Patrón, the governor of

Mónica Sánchez, a student from the first graduating class of the new university, gives her testimony.

the state of Querétaro; and Mónica Sánchez, a student from
the first matriculating class of the university. Mónica, a Regnum
Christi member, played an important role in founding the Querétaro
Anáhuac as the president of the student body from 2007-2008
and as a coordinator of Gente Nueva and Megamissions, both of which are vibrant and wide-ranging apostolates involving
tens of thousands of Mexican youth.

A legacy for future generations

In
addition to the speeches, the event included several activities to
encourage reflection about the moment’s significance for future generations of
students. The event began with the planting of new trees
in the ecological reserve on campus. Meanwhile, the guests at
the inauguration signed the commemorative books, writing messages for the
future generations.

Various gifts were unveiled, including a large image
of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a cross offered by
Fr Alvaro Corcuera, LC.

The students and alumni unveiled a
gift of their own: a large clock sculpture to be
placed on the central square of the campus. The sculpture
was their own initiative: they had designed it themselves and
had fundraised to have it custom made. Each student’s name
will be written on the sculpture as a visual image

A model of the new campus.

of their own participation in the ongoing foundation.

To go along
with the theme of time, the ceremony also included a
“time capsule” to which each member of the Anáhuac community
contributed a souvenir, photo, or letter for the future generations
to read. The time capsule will be opened again in
25 years.

To view photos of the inauguration ceremony and architectural
models of the future campus, click here.